Alleged concerns about patient care at the NRH need to be investigated
The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara is the sole referral hospital facility in the country which as an existing population exceeding 684,000 and the majority living in the rural areas where health facilities are limited.
In normal times the NRH is over-burdened in dealing with patients suffering from Non Communicable Diseases but with the current situation in the country brought about by the need for preventative measures and responses to combat the intrusion of COVID-19, it has been claimed that ‘normal’ health services at the NRH are affected and, allegedly, chronically ill patients not being given the attention they need.
If the allegations are factual then one would hope the situation will be looked into and all patients given the best attention and treatment they deserve
Speaking in Port Moresby this week, Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, Hon. James Marope talked about decentralisation and said the PNG Government will begin to build modern hospitals in the 22 provinces in the country and one major upgrade of the referral hospital in the national capital, Port Moresby.
PM Marape said the work would begin next year and go into 2025 when PNG would celebrate 50 years of Independence.
The PM added that funds were being sent to the provinces and would continue with the aim of building capacity and systems in the provinces.
The Solomon Islands government has plans for decentralisation of government services, including the recently announced initiatives for the upgrade of rural health centres and two provincial hospital but more details of the proposed planning and implementation process are keenly awaited. Likewise the proposal to re-locate the NRH appears to be pending.
News sources: Solomon Star News and Radio New Zealand.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
